Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is a therapeutic treatment that primarily focuses on the interpretation of mental and emotional processes. It shares much in common with psychoanalysis and is often considered a simpler, less time consuming alternative. Like psychoanalysis, psychodynamic therapy seeks to reveal the unconscious content of a client's psyche in an effort to alleviate psychic tension. Psychodynamic therapy increases a client’s self-awareness and grows their understanding of the influence of the past on present behavior. It allows clients to examine unresolved conflicts and symptoms that arise from past experiences and explore how they are manifesting themselves in current behaviors, such as the need and desire to abuse substances. Think this approach might be right for you? Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s psychodynamic therapy experts today.

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I believe the family is our foundation for how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. Attachment and internalized messages we received about our selves as children are carried out through out our lives.

— Victoria Rodgers, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Huntington Beach, CA

Acknowledging that our past impacts our present is one of the most basic keys to understanding human nature. We don't have to spend years exploring your childhood but without acknowledging this inherent relationship, we significantly undermine therapeutic efficacy. We need to understand how the different parts of your "psyche" interact, how they help or hinder you, how they came in to being in the first place (from your history), and what conflict exists between them.

— Catherine Ferreira-Babor, Clinical Psychologist in Walnut Creek, CA
 

I make use of psychodynamic therapy interventions to deep dive into clients' pasts and experiences and help form understanding and insight about current feelings, behaviors, and patterns. This can be used to increase self awareness and growth, as well as instigate behavioral change over time.

— Isha Kumar, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York, NY

Psychodynamic therapy carries on in the analytic tradition, with seeking to understand the whole of a person in terms of their true self and way-of-Being. Though psychodynamic therapy puts more emphasis on the relationship between therapist and patient-- attempting to look at how both individuals are showing up together and how the patient's issues arise in a relational context. And it looks at the complexity of a person from an attachment lens.

— James Nole, Counselor in Seattle, WA
 

Psychodynamic therapy helps to identify where you're struggling. It can help you see yourself and those around you more clearly to promote self-awareness.

— Lindsay Perry, Licensed Professional Counselor in Bellaire, TX

My graduate training was primarily rooted in contemporary psychodynamic therapy. What this means is that our work together can incorporate safely exploring your emotions (even those that might be painful!), identifying recurring themes or patterns in your life, and talking about how your past experiences might still be impacting you in the present. I also believe that the relationship between therapist and client is critical and that we can use it to learn more about how you relate to others.

— Solara Calderon, Clinical Psychologist in Encinitas, CA
 

I have a PsyD in psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy training was part of that degree

— Sally Stephens, Clinical Psychologist in Pasadena, CA

Tessa uses a psychodynamic lens to understand how current issues and struggles relate to past experiences. This insight often invites the compassion and flexibility needed to make meaningful life changes.

— Tessa Kinsey, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Philadelphia, PA
 

My graduate training program had a particular emphasis on relational psychodynamic psychotherapy, and I've attended numerous trainings and workshops on this orientation. In this type of therapy, there is a specific focus not only on your relationships, but also on our therapeutic relationship. Together we create a unique dynamic based on our specific backgrounds and, often unconsciously, recreate patterns from your history that allow us to work through them within the relationship itself.

— Lindsay Elizondo, Clinical Psychologist in San Diego, CA

I work with clients to look at their past and see how it informs their present lives. We work together to look at how past experiences, and traumas consciously and unconsciously show up in our present lives and how we can learn from and work with the material that is showing up for them.

— Rachael Rosenberg, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Los altos, CA
 

Psychodynamic therapy is a therapeutic treatment that primarily focuses on the interpretation of mental and emotional processes. It shares much in common with psychoanalysis and is often considered a simpler, less time consuming alternative. Psychodynamic therapy seeks to reveal the unconscious content of a client's psyche in an effort to alleviate psychic tension.

— Colby Schneider, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Portland, OR

Psychodynamic therapy allows us to dive deeply into your subconscious and your inner child through a deep talk therapy. I do plenty of psychoanalytic, free associations, shadow work, archetypical work. During the session I address a wide range of psychological and emotional issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, personality disorders, and more. I also include in it post-modern interventions.

— Marwan El Khoury, Counselor in Newton, MA
 

I believe that life experiences and the meaning that we both consciously and unconsciously assign to them can be explored in therapy to help clients live a life that is intentional and grounded. This includes identification and exploration of attachment styles, childhood and adolescent experiences, dreams, fears, and hopes.

— Allison Jensen, Licensed Professional Counselor in Chicago, IL